Explosions Hit Iran's Qeshm After Trump Delays Strikes
Explosions were reported on Iran's Qeshm Island on Tuesday, with local officials stating the sounds came from the destruction of unexploded enemy ammunition. Hours earlier, President Trump announced on Truth Social that he had postponed planned airstrikes on Iran after Gulf state leaders requested he hold off and Tehran submitted a new peace proposal. Drones were spotted over the island Monday night, triggering air defense activations. The tensions follow the U.S. and Israel launching a war against Iran on February 28. Reuters could not independently verify whether preparations had been made for the planned strikes.
Sweden's largest defense deal since Gripen: four French frigates
Sweden has signed a deal with France's Naval Group to purchase four FDI frigates in what Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called the country's largest military investment since the Gripen fighter jet. The ships, to be named HSwMS Lulea, Norrköping, Trelleborg and Halmstad, cost approximately 10 billion crowns each, totaling over 3.5 billion euros. The first delivery is expected by 2030. Sweden selected Naval Group over rival bids from Spain and Britain, citing rapid delivery timelines and a proven air defense system. The frigates triple Sweden's air defense capability and will supplement the navy's existing corvettes.
Africa CDC declares Ebola outbreak a continental emergency
Africa CDC declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Continental Public Health Emergency. The virus is the Bundibugyo strain for which no approved vaccines or therapies exist; approximately 131 deaths have been recorded in the DRC out of 513 suspected cases, with one additional death in Uganda's capital, Kampala. The agency cited intense cross-border population movements, insecurity, and fragile health systems as factors driving high risk of regional spread. The declaration came two days after the WHO made a similar international emergency designation.
OpenAI invests S$300m to build first non-US AI lab in Singapore
Singapore has secured a S$300 million investment from OpenAI, with the ChatGPT-maker establishing its first applied AI laboratory outside the United States in the city-state. The lab will grow to more than 200 technical roles and support work in public services, finance, healthcare, and digital infrastructure aligned with Singapore's national priorities. OpenAI will also launch a forward-deployed engineer programme to train mid-career software engineers and partner with local universities through the OpenAI Academy. Singapore ranks among the top five countries globally for ChatGPT and Codex usage, making it a strategic regional hub for the company.
Google's next Gemini model takes center stage at I/O
Google I/O 2026 kicks off today at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California, with CEO Sundar Pichai and DeepMind chief Demis Hassabis leading the keynote at 1PM ET. The headline announcement is the next-generation Gemini model, which analysts expect to feature deep reasoning, multimodality, and expanded context windows. Google is merging Android and ChromeOS into a unified platform called Alphabetical OS and launching the Googlebook laptop category with Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo. The company will also detail AI creative tools Veo and Lyria alongside Beam, a video-conferencing technology projecting users as life-like 3D avatars.
SpaceX targets $75 billion IPO in largest market debut ever
SpaceX is expected to unveil its IPO prospectus this week ahead of a potential $75 billion listing that would value the company at $1.75 trillion, as it targets a 12th Starship test flight from Texas. Elon Musk suffered a legal defeat Monday when a federal jury dismissed his lawsuit against OpenAI and Sam Altman on statute of limitations grounds. Market observers warn that the convergence of SpaceX and OpenAI preparing simultaneous IPOs could strain capital markets, with analysts warning the SpaceX listing could "suck all the oxygen out the room" for other new listings.
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- Putin in Beijing as Russia and China deepen alliance. Arriving days after Trump's China visit, Putin seeks energy and economic deals with Xi as bilateral trade hits $228 billion and the nations accelerate de-dollarization.
- US to Gradually Withdraw Troops from Europe, NATO Commander Says. General Alexus Grynkewich said the pullout of 5,000 troops from Germany will be synchronized with allied defense efforts, though some European officials worry the reduction could leave the continent vulnerable to Russian threats.
- Samsung and Google Launch Smart Glasses to Rival Ray-Ban Meta. Developed with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, the audio-only eyewear uses Gemini AI for navigation, translation, and app ordering. Samsung and Google control the ecosystems these glasses are built for, a key edge over Meta.
- Vance: US will act militarily if Iran nuclear talks fail. Vance said both nations appear willing to negotiate but warned allowing Iran to go nuclear would trigger a regional arms race. The US wants long-term guarantees, not just a temporary pause, and the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical flashpoint.
- Senate advances Iran war powers resolution in bipartisan vote. Four Republicans crossed party lines to advance the measure, sponsored by Sen. Tim Kaine, marking the first success in seven attempts to limit presidential war-making authority. The resolution still faces House passage and a likely presidential veto.